rTMS - Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is known to be a safe, noninvasive, treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD), but how does cost compare with that of pharmacotherapy?

Australian researchers compared the cost-effectiveness of rTMS with pharmacotherapy in treatment-resistant patients with MDD (ie, those who have failed at least 2 courses of antidepressant therapy).1 They found that, although both pharmacotherapy and rTMS are clinically effective, rTMS is more cost-effective.

Considering that up to 40% of patients with MDD either do not respond to or tolerate pharmacotherapy and that up to 85% of patients who do respond can be expected to relapse within 15 years, exploration of methods that more economically sustain quality of life is worthwhile.